Student California Teachers Association

Anyone applying to a credential program needs to determine if they are applying for a Multiple Subject Credential or Single Subject Credential. The Multiple Subject Credential is for elementary school teachers and the Single Subject Credential is for middle school and high school teachers. After you decide what to go for, you must take the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test) if you are planning to teach in California. A passing score is 123, with 41 being the minimum for 2 out of the 3 sections and 1 section with at least a passing score of 37. This test is pretty easy with simple fractions, grammar review, and two short essays. As soon as you pass the CBEST and obtain your undergraduate degree, you can substitute in any district.

After passing the CBEST, determine which school to attend. The UC campuses have admissions deadlines in February and CSU campuses in early March. There are also private institutions that have different deadlines. There is a minimum required GPA but there are several ways to determine this. Talk to your teaching credential advisor, they can modify your minimum GPA by averaging your upper division courses or include only the GPA from your major. Next, get letters of recommendations. First, think of professor that you totally loved and got to know, generally they come from your major. Don't pick professors who donít know you well. All they can say is you were enrolled in their class and passed which does not make for a good for a letter of recommendation. Additional letters of recommendations may be required either from a former employer or someone that has observed your work with students.

OK, so you filled-out the application, got your letters of recommendation and wrote the check (or got fee waiver). There is one more test to take - the long and expensive MSAT (Multiple Subject Assessment for Teachers) or the SSAT (Single Subject Assessment for Teachers).This test is both difficult and expensive, so don't think it's going to be easy like the CBEST. Study and think of it like the SAT because your future depends on it. But don't worry because you can take again if you waited to the last possible date (in April).

In addition, you will be interviewed for admission into a credential program either in a group setting or single format, so be prepared for some off-the-wall questions such as "Your 5th grade student wants to know about AIDS but your principal has made this issue forbidden to be discussed. Do you go against his authority?" Questions such as this determine how you will handle a "controversial" issue.

Now that you have been accepted to a program (usually in April), how will you pay for it? Many programs don't want you to hold a job, remember you are a grad student now! Money is available through a variety of scholarships and loan forgiveness programs (see page 11).

Good luck,
I'll see you in a school soon!

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